The
Assembly budget proposal of $141.96 billion is a 4.7 percent increase
in all funds spending from the state fiscal year 2012-13 level.
Spending growth in all funds is largely due to the federal aid for
clean-up and recovery following "Superstorm" Sandy, as well as
the projection of additional Medicaid funds for the implementation of
Affordable Care Act. Absent these funds disbursements, year-to-year
growth in all funds spending would be nearly flat at $135.8 million.

The
Assembly proposes general fund spending of $61.5 billion in SFY
2013-14. This is an increase of $2.2 billion, or 3.7 percent, over
SFY 2012-13. The proposed spending is $661 million higher than the
executive budget proposal.

"After
years of careful sacrifice, New York's economy is slowly growing.
Keeping with the responsible decision-making that has brought us this
far, the Assembly's proposed budget will close an estimated $1.4
billion budget gap while establishing financial reserves,"
Silver said. "Frugal over three years, this budget provides for
a prosperous year for learning, rebuilding and commerce. It also
makes crucial investments in a social safety net that protects
indiscriminately. I commend my colleagues on their hard work and
dedication to this proposal and to a thriving Empire State."

The
Assembly plan closes the estimated $1.4 billion general fund budget
gap for SFY 2013-14 in a prudent and responsible manner. These
actions are comprised of $1 billion in spending reductions and $331
million in tax extenders.

"Once
again, we propose a responsible, sound budget with critical
investments in social services, recovery efforts, and an education
system that supports all from childhood through college,"
Farrell said. "Consistent with the governor's proposal, we put
forth a funding plan that will close a budget gap while saving for
the future. From undocumented youth to successful business owners,
this budget provides for a prosperous future for all New Yorkers."

Critical
Relief for New York's Cities, Towns and Villages

The
Assembly's budget proposal calls for more than $660 million over
three years in increased funding, above the executive's budget, for
programs to help the state's financially struggling local
governments. The aid and incentives for municipalities program would
increase by more than $220 million above the executive's budget. The
first funding boost to AIM in five years, it would restore $140
million to New York City, and provide an 11 percent increase,
totaling $80 million, for the state's other cities, towns and
villages.

Over
two years, $120 million would be allocated to accelerate the state's
takeover of local Medicaid growth. This would take one full year off
of the three-year state takeover plan established in SFY 2012-13. In
addition, the consolidated local street and highway improvement
program, or CHIPS, would receive an increase of $15 million.

Sandy
Recovery Efforts

On
top of the approximately $30 billion in federal funding allocated to
New York for Sandy recovery efforts, the Assembly proposal includes
an additional $200 million in capital support for the New York
Rebuild, Overcome, and Re-open program. This program would provide
resources to help restore areas impacted by Sandy through:

emergency
preparedness upgrades;

capital
improvements to public housing;

shoreline
repair and flood mitigation;

restoration
of local facilities and attractions;

promotion
of economic redevelopment; and

grants
to small businesses, multiple dwellings, and service providers for
unreimbursed costs.

The
proposal includes the extension of financial incentives for
businesses that remain in or relocate to New York City, including
those in Lower Manhattan impacted by the World Trade Center terrorist
attacks of 2001. The tax breaks are designed to encourage businesses
to generate economic activity in the city and help get New Yorkers
back to work following Sandy.

The
Assembly would also provide relief to employers who experience an
increase in unemployment insurance costs as a result of Sandy.

Preserving
Safety Net Programs and Services for the Most Vulnerable Citizens

The
Assembly restores $28.7 million in temporary assistance for needy
families funding and $11 million in funds for child care subsidies.
It restores $4.66 million in services for children and families, as
well as $1.29 million for the youth development and delinquency
program and special delinquency prevention program and $264,000 for
the runaway and homeless youth program. To maintain the right for
spousal refusal in New York state, $34.3 million has been restored.

Critical
funding in the amount of $120 million would be restored to the Office
for People with Developmental Disabilities for services provided by
nonprofit organizations that serve individuals with developmental
disabilities.

The
programs and services provided through nonprofits under the auspices
of OPWDD help improve the quality of life for individuals with
developmental disabilities. These programs help to develop home,
personal, behavioral, recreational and social skills to ensure
greater independence in their day-to-day lives. In order to protect
these services, the Assembly proposes to restore $120 million to
mitigate the governor's proposed 6 percent rate reduction to
nonprofit providers.

Additionally,
the Assembly restores $20 million to reinstate the one-year
notification requirement for closure and consolidation of mental
health facilities.

Rebuilding
the Ladder to Economic Security

To
improve the infrastructure on our SUNY and CUNY campuses and to
create jobs, the Assembly provides $55 million for a third round of
SUNY 2020 challenge grants and $161 million to create and fund a New
York CUNY 2020 program.

The
Assembly budget proposal allocates $100 million to support various
job initiatives. These programs include a fourth round of RESTORE NY
Communities Initiative grants, business and community development
support, advanced manufacturing and certification assistance,
education and workforce training for disadvantaged and adult
residents, and educational practices related to science, technology,
engineering and mathematics in the classroom.

The
Assembly proposal provides:

$1
million restoration for College of Nanoscale Science and
Engineering's Institute for nanoelectronics discovery exploration
(INDEX) program;

$1.25
million for the new advanced manufacturing career opportunity
revolving loan fund;

$750,000
for agricultural industry competitiveness assistance; and

$2.1
million in military base retention funding to support the Griffiss
Local Development Corp.

Additionally,
the Assembly proposes assistance for small businesses by dedicating
$12.5 million for the small business revolving loan fund and $500,000
for small business innovation research (SBIR) outreach and technical
assistance. It will also restore an additional $365,000 to support
the minority and women-owned business (MWBE) development and lending
program.

Reforms
are included that would make the unemployment insurance fund solvent,
and, if implemented, would save employers more than $450 million
annually while increasing the weekly unemployment benefit. The shared
work program would be expanded to aid struggling businesses that are
contemplating layoffs to keep their doors open.

Strengthening
New York's Future by Investing in Education

The
school aid allocation is $21.1 billion, an increase of $834 million
in formula aid over school year 2012-13. The proposal is an increase
of $334 million over the executive budget proposal for SY 2013-14. As
part of the aid increase, $208 million is included for foundation
aid, $25 million for high tax aid and $100 million for gap
elimination adjustment.

The
Assembly restores $240 million in school aid to New York City and
other districts, which did not meet the Jan. 17 deadline for annual
professional performance review plans.

The
full $25 million for the pre-kindergarten grant, which was
recommended by the governor, has been preserved and the program
modified to include additional half-day slots.

The
Assembly proposes $975 million for the tuition assistance program
(TAP), an increase of $25 million over the executive proposal. The
increase in funding would be dedicated for the implementation of the
New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors
(DREAM) Act.

Additional
funding is included for SUNY and CUNY community colleges. The plan
includes an additional $150 per full-time equivalent student to raise
the total community college base aid to $2,422 per FTE. The proposal
also includes the restoration of more than $1.5 million for SUNY and
CUNY child care centers, which provide vital assistance to parents
who attend college.

Higher
education opportunity programs would be increased by $3.7 million.

The
Assembly proposal includes $106 million in capital funds for CUNY and
an additional $50 million for SUNY Stonybrook Health Science Center,
SUNY Downstate Health Science Center and SUNY Upstate Health Science
Center.